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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 9:21 But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/9-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_09_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 9:21 - Noah's Shame and Canaan's Curse" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he drank of the wine and became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he was uncovered <i>and</i> lay exposed inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day he got drunk and was lying naked in his tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He drank some wine, got drunk, and lay naked inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />After he drank some of the wine, he became drunk, took off his clothes, and lay naked in his tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine, got drunk, and lay down naked right in the middle of his tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When he drank some of the wine, he got drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he drank the wine, and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and drinks of the wine, and is drunken, and uncovers himself in the midst of the tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and drinketh of the wine, and is drunken, and uncovereth himself in the midst of the tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will drink of the wine and he will be intoxicated, and will be uncovered within his tent.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And drinking of the wine was made drunk, and was uncovered in his tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And by drinking its wine, he became inebriated and was naked in his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and lay naked inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he drank of its wine, and became drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he drank from its wine and he was drunk and he was exposed within the tent.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he drank of the wine, and was drunk, and was naked in his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/9-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2021" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">Noah's Shame and Canaan's Curse</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20</span>Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: way·yê·šət (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">But when he drank</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">some of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: hay·ya·yin (Art:: N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">its wine,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7937.htm" title="7937: way·yiš·kār (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or influence.">he became drunk</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: way·yiṯ·gal (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">and uncovered himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">inside</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: ʾå̄·ho·lōh (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">his tent.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a></span><br />Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7</a></span><br />These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Habakkuk 2:15</a></span><br />Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">1 Corinthians 6:10</a></span><br />nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-21.htm">Galatians 5:21</a></span><br />and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-7.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:7</a></span><br />For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Proverbs 23:29-35</a></span><br />Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? / Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks. / Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a></span><br />“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-20.htm">Deuteronomy 21:20</a></span><br />and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">1 Samuel 25:36-37</a></span><br />When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. / In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-13.htm">2 Samuel 11:13</a></span><br />Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.</p><p class="hdg">and was.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a></b></br> These <i>are</i> the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man <i>and</i> perfect in his generations, <i>and</i> Noah walked with God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Genesis 19:32-36</a></b></br> Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a></b></br> Wine <i>is</i> a mocker, strong drink <i>is</i> raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.</p><p class="hdg">and he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Habakkuk 2:15,16</a></b></br> Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to <i>him</i>, and makest <i>him</i> drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/3-18.htm">Revelation 3:18</a></b></br> I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and <i>that</i> the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-7.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/revelation/17-14.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/revelation/21-3.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-8.htm">Uncovereth</a> <a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/genesis/6-16.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/24-46.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/genesis/27-25.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/genesis/24-19.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/genesis/19-10.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/19-4.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Uncovereth</a> <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Blood and murder are forbidden.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-8.htm">God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Noah's family replenishes the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Noah plants a vineyard,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Is drunken, and mocked by his son;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Curses Canaan;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-26.htm">Blesses Shem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Prays for Japheth, and dies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But when he drank some of its wine</b><br>This phrase highlights Noah's consumption of wine, which he produced from the vineyard he planted after the flood. The cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine were common practices in ancient Near Eastern cultures, indicating Noah's return to agricultural life. Wine in the Bible often symbolizes joy and blessing (<a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a>), but it also serves as a warning against excess (<a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a>). This incident marks the first mention of drunkenness in Scripture, illustrating the potential for misuse of God's gifts.<p><b>he became drunk</b><br>Noah's drunkenness is a significant moment, as it shows the vulnerability of even the most righteous individuals to sin. This event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overindulgence and losing self-control, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible (<a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a>). It also foreshadows the moral failures of humanity post-flood, despite God's covenant with Noah.<p><b>and uncovered himself</b><br>The act of uncovering oneself is often associated with shame and dishonor in biblical texts. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, nakedness was considered a state of vulnerability and disgrace (<a href="/genesis/3-7.htm">Genesis 3:7</a>). This incident with Noah parallels the shame experienced by Adam and Eve after the fall, highlighting the ongoing struggle with sin and the need for redemption.<p><b>inside his tent</b><br>The setting of this event within Noah's tent suggests a private matter that becomes public due to the actions of his son Ham. Tents were the primary dwellings of nomadic peoples, providing shelter and privacy. The breach of privacy by Ham, who later sees his father's nakedness, sets the stage for the subsequent curse on Canaan. This incident underscores the importance of respecting family boundaries and the consequences of failing to do so.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a></b><br>A righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. After the flood, he became a farmer and planted a vineyard.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/noah's_tent.htm">Noah's Tent</a></b><br>The private space where Noah became drunk and exposed himself, leading to subsequent events involving his sons.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a></b><br>Represents Noah's post-flood agricultural endeavors, which led to the production of wine and his subsequent intoxication.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_intoxication.htm">The Dangers of Intoxication</a></b><br>Noah's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the loss of self-control and dignity that can result from drunkenness. Believers are encouraged to exercise moderation and self-discipline.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_personal_responsibility.htm">The Importance of Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>Noah's actions had consequences not only for himself but also for his family. This underscores the importance of personal responsibility and the impact of our actions on others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_accountability.htm">The Role of Accountability</a></b><br>The incident with Noah and his sons highlights the need for accountability within families and communities. Believers are called to support and correct one another in love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_grace_of_god_in_human_weakness.htm">The Grace of God in Human Weakness</a></b><br>Despite Noah's failure, God’s covenant with him remained intact. This illustrates God's grace and faithfulness, even when we fall short.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, avoiding behaviors that lead to shame and dishonor.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_new_anointing.htm">What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_ham_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Ham in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'uncover_nakedness'_mean.htm">What does "uncover the nakedness" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/christian_view_on_wine.htm">What is the Christian Perspective on drinking wine?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">He was uncovered</span> is, literally, <span class= "ital">he uncovered himself. </span>It was no accident, but a wilful breach of modesty.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he drank of the wine</span>. <span class="hebrew">יַיִן</span>; "perhaps so called from bubbling up and fermenting;" connected with <span class="hebrew">יָוַן</span> (Gesenius). Though the first mention of wine in Scripture, it is scarcely probable that the natural process of fermentation for so many centuries escaped the notice of the enterprising Cainites, or even of the Sethites; that, "though grapes had been in use before this, wine had not been extracted from them" (Murphy); or that Noah was unacquainted with the nature and effects of this intoxicating liquor (Chrysostom, Theodoret, Keil, Lunge). The article before <span class="hebrew">יַיִן</span> indicates that the patriarch was "familiar with the use and treatment" of the grape (Kalisch); and Moses does not say this was the first occasion on which the patriarch tasted the fermented liquor (Calvin, Wordsworth). <span class="cmt_word">And was drunken</span>. The verb <span class="hebrew">שָׁכַר</span> (whence <span class="accented">shechar</span>, strong drink, <a href="/numbers/28-7.htm">Numbers 28:7</a>), to drink to the full, very often signifies to make oneself drunken, or simply to be intoxicated as the result of drinking; and that which the Holy Spirit here reprobates is not the partaking of the fruit of the vine, but the drinking so as to be intoxicated thereby. Since the sin of Noah cannot be ascribed to ignorance, it is perhaps right, as well as charitable, to attribute it to ago and inadvertence. Six hundred years old at the time of the Flood, he must have been considerably beyond this when Ham saw him overtaken in his fault, since Canaan was Ham's fourth son (<a href="/genesis/10-6.htm">Genesis 10:6</a>), and the first was not born till after the exit from the ark (<a href="/genesis/8-18.htm">Genesis 8:18</a>). But from whatever cause induced, the drunkenness of Noah was not entirely guiltless; it was sinful in itself, and led to further shame. <span class="cmt_word">And he was uncovered</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">he uncovered himself</span>. Hithpael of <span class="hebrew">גָּלַה</span>, to make naked, which more correctly indicates the personal guilt of the patriarch than the A.V., or the LXX., <span class="greek">ἐγυμνώθη</span>. That intoxication tends to sensuality cf. the cases of Lot (<a href="/genesis/19-33.htm">Genesis 19:33</a>), Ahasuerus (<a href="/esther/1-10.htm">Esther 1:10, 11</a>), Belshazzar (<a href="/daniel/5-1.htm">Daniel 5:1-6</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Within his tent</span>. <span class="greek">Ἐν τῷ οἴκῷ αὐτοῦ</span> (LXX.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/9-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But when he drank</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥שְׁתְּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šət)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">some of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its wine,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיַּ֖יִן</span> <span class="translit">(hay·ya·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine, intoxication</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he became drunk</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁכָּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·kār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7937.htm">Strong's 7937: </a> </span><span class="str2">To become tipsy, to satiate with a, stimulating drink, influence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and uncovered himself</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְגַּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·gal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1540.htm">Strong's 1540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To denude, to exile, to reveal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inside</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֥וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his tent.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָהֳלֹֽה׃‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ho·lōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tent</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/9-21.htm">Genesis 9:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">OT Law: Genesis 9:21 He drank of the wine and got (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/9-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 9:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/9-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 9:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>